LG Chem, Unicef sign $200M deal to supply vaccines to children globally

LG Chem's Eupolio, a polio vaccine [LG CHEM]

LG Chem inked a $200 million contract with Unicef to supply polio and pentavalent vaccines to 80 million children all over the world.

The deal includes $100 million worth of Eupolio, a polio vaccine, the contract for which lasts for two years starting from 2024.

The other $100 million is for Eupenta, a five-in-one vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza.

Eupenta will be supplied for five years beginning this year.

"We were able to win a massive order based on our solid trust in LG Chem's capability on vaccine development and supply," said Park Heui-sul, head of the specialty care unit at LG Chem.

"We will accelerate the development of a hexavalent vaccine that combines Eupolio and Eupenta to play a critical role in preventing infants and children from infectious diseases."

LG Chem gained pre-qualification approval for Eupenta from the World Health Organization in 2016, and for Eupolio in 2020.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]